Free shred-a-thons planned statewide this spring, AG Cooper says

Published: Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 11:04 AM.

North Carolina consumers can get rid of documents containing personal information safely at one of 20 shred-a-thon events across the state this spring, Attorney General Roy Cooper said today.

“Just throwing old documents that may contain personal information in the trash puts you at risk of identity theft,” Cooper said. “Shredding old documents at one of these free shred-a-thons will help keep you safe from identity thieves.”

Consumers can protect themselves from identity theft by bringing pre-approved credit card offers, old bills, out-of-date account statements and other documents that include personal information to any of the free shred-a-thons.

Between now and the end of May, at least 20 free shredding events are planned across North Carolina, including seven on Saturday, April 12, and nine planned between April 24 and April 26. Shred-a-thons are scheduled for Apex, Asheville, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Durham, Fletcher, Goldsboro, Halifax, Hendersonville, Hillsborough, Lillington, Lincolnton, Marion, Pittsboro, Raleigh, Roxboro, Statesville and Tarboro.

The shred-a-thons are sponsored by a number of groups, including Cooper’s office, the Better Business Bureau, banks and credit unions, shredding companies, local civic groups, law enforcement and the media.

Local groups that would like tips on how to organize shred-a-thons in their communities can contact the Attorney General’s Office at Outreach@ncdoj.gov. For more protection from identity theft, Cooper also suggests that consumers:

· Guard your personal information. Don’t carry your Social Security card, and give out your Social Security Number only when absolutely necessary. Never share your SSN or other personal financial information with anyone you don’t know who contacts, no matter who they claim to be. Legitimate companies will not ask for your personal information this way.

· Check your credit reports regularly.You’re entitled to one free credit report every year from each of the three major credit bureaus. To get your free report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. To track your credit throughout the year, request a free report from a different credit bureau every four months.

· Consider a free security freeze.Guard against ID theft by freezing your credit reports online for free. Seniors and victims of identity theft can also freeze their credit by telephone or mail for free. Placing security freezes on your credit prevents identity thieves from opening new accounts or taking out credit cards and loans in your name. Detailed information about how to place a security freeze is available at www.ncdoj.gov.

· Stop pre-approved credit card applications.Call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT or visit www.optoutprescreen.com to stop pre-approved credit card applications that an ID thief could steal and use to get credit in your name.

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North Carolina consumers can get rid of documents containing personal information safely at one of 20 shred-a-thon events across the state this spring, Attorney General Roy Cooper said today.

“Just throwing old documents that may contain personal information in the trash puts you at risk of identity theft,” Cooper said. “Shredding old documents at one of these free shred-a-thons will help keep you safe from identity thieves.”

Consumers can protect themselves from identity theft by bringing pre-approved credit card offers, old bills, out-of-date account statements and other documents that include personal information to any of the free shred-a-thons.

Between now and the end of May, at least 20 free shredding events are planned across North Carolina, including seven on Saturday, April 12, and nine planned between April 24 and April 26. Shred-a-thons are scheduled for Apex, Asheville, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Durham, Fletcher, Goldsboro, Halifax, Hendersonville, Hillsborough, Lillington, Lincolnton, Marion, Pittsboro, Raleigh, Roxboro, Statesville and Tarboro.

The shred-a-thons are sponsored by a number of groups, including Cooper’s office, the Better Business Bureau, banks and credit unions, shredding companies, local civic groups, law enforcement and the media.

Local groups that would like tips on how to organize shred-a-thons in their communities can contact the Attorney General’s Office at Outreach@ncdoj.gov.
For more protection from identity theft, Cooper also suggests that consumers:

· Guard your personal information. Don’t carry your Social Security card, and give out your Social Security Number only when absolutely necessary. Never share your SSN or other personal financial information with anyone you don’t know who contacts, no matter who they claim to be. Legitimate companies will not ask for your personal information this way.

· Check your credit reports regularly.You’re entitled to one free credit report every year from each of the three major credit bureaus. To get your free report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. To track your credit throughout the year, request a free report from a different credit bureau every four months.

· Consider a free security freeze.Guard against ID theft by freezing your credit reports online for free. Seniors and victims of identity theft can also freeze their credit by telephone or mail for free. Placing security freezes on your credit prevents identity thieves from opening new accounts or taking out credit cards and loans in your name. Detailed information about how to place a security freeze is available at www.ncdoj.gov.

· Stop pre-approved credit card applications.Call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT or visit www.optoutprescreen.com to stop pre-approved credit card applications that an ID thief could steal and use to get credit in your name.